Published: February 09, 2016

Author: Monika Spalinski

Actors from The Robinson Shakespeare Company

The Robinson Community Learning Center, in South Bend’s northeast neighborhood, celebrates its 15th anniversary from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19 (Friday) at the RCLC. The celebration is open to the public.

Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., president of the University of Notre Dame; Louis M. Nanni, vice president for University Relations; Mary Williams, a neighborhood resident and mother of six RCLC graduates; and Jennifer Knapp Beudert, manager of the RCLC, will speak. Rev. Edward “Monk” Malloy, C.S.C., president emeritus of the University, will also offer an opening prayer.

The theme of the event is “RCLC Moments in Time,” a nod to the traditional 15th anniversary gift of a watch. Speakers will mention one of their favorite RCLC “moments.” Afterward, there will be a short video about the history of the Robinson Center, followed by an awards presentation to volunteers, youth and adult learners, partners and volunteers who have made significant contributions to the Robinson Center this past year.

Andrew McDonald and Rylee Fleming, members of the Robinson Shakespeare Company, will also recite Shakespeare monologues at the opening and closing of the event. The Robinson Shakespeare Company is celebrating its eighth year of productions with a cast ranging from third- through 12th-grade students. Music will be presented at the celebration by Notre Dame a cappella group Echoes. Refreshments will be provided.

“What began 15 years ago as a unique partnership between the University of Notre Dame and residents of the Northeast Neighborhood of South Bend has evolved into a boundary-spanning learning community which extends throughout Michiana, engaging hundreds of youth, families, older adults, college students and community partners each year. The RCLC is looking forward to continuing this momentum through its commitment to our mission of ‘changing lives, one relationship at a time,’” said Beudert.

The center, located at 921 N. Eddy St., South Bend, provides local students with programs to help them grow their educational and cultural knowledge. Since its founding in 2001, the RCLC has grown to service more than 500 adult and student participants each week, and its outreach programs impact thousands of South Bend and Mishawaka youths each year. The center has more than 300 weekly college student volunteers who tutor and mentor the RCLC students, and many community volunteers who support the RCLC’s efforts. Additional RCLC programs include Literary Corps, the Take Ten conflict resolution program and the RCLC Youth Entrepreneurship Program.